Rapid measurement of total lipids in zooplankton using the sulfo-phospho-vanillin reaction.

Zooplankton provide a vital source of nutrition to a variety of fish and marine predators. Measuring the total lipid content of zooplankton provides important information about diet quality available to predators, revealing details about trophic dynamics and ecosystem status. We analyze the performance of a microplate assay, utilizing the sulfo-phospho-vanillin (SPV) reaction, to quantify the total lipid content of various large crustacean zooplankton in a rapid and high throughput manner.

Treatment Options in Severe Psychotic Depression.

In our sample of 15 hospitalized patients with severe psychotic depression, six responded to therapy with tricyclic antidepressants combined with neuroleptics. Of the nine nonresponders, eight showed an excellent clinical response to electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). The clinical outcome after 6 months of treatment was similar in both groups.